Jcocktosten, FKG, MiamiAtty and his lovely new bride, joined myself and my wife to celebrate FKG's and E's birthdays. A great night of great friends drinking great wines. Both ladies have aged as well as the finest clarets and continue to only get better. Happy Birthday!

Celebrating E's and FKG's birthdays, dining alfresco on a beautiful evening, with exceptional company and wines made for another great evening.

2008 Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fumé de Pouilly - France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Pouilly-FuméLots of lemon fruit with plenty of acidity and minerality on the finish. What makes this Pouilly Fume somewhat unusual is its fuller body (medium plus) and intensity of fruit. A nice combination. Sort of like Merry Edwards lushness, but in an Old World style. (92 pts.)

1989 Domaine du Cayron Gigondas - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, GigondasLots of funk (and brett) that dissipated some over time. Some bricking and initially reserved fruit that came out more over time with mostly cherry fruit and even a little sweetness on the complex finish. Medium body and acidity. Good food wine that went great with truffle fries. Old school style all the way. Fabulous for the price. (92 pts.)

1997 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di MontalcinoComes across as a more traditional style, with some earthiness and lean cherry fruit and high acidity. Similar impression as last time that this wine may be on the downside of its drinking curve. (89 pts.)

2001 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova - Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di MontalcinoExtremely dark and opaque wine. Modern styled, with extracted dark fruit, medium acidity, and still some astringency from unresolved tannins. Opened 45 min prior to drinking, but not decanted, which may have been able to soften the tannins and open the fruit more. Plenty of potential here, but I recommend further aging or a longer decant. (92 pts.)

2008 Shafer Relentless - USA, California, Napa ValleyYoung, full bodied wne, with low to medium acidity, and lush blackberry fruit with some tar notes that needs more time, though the tannins are sweet and approachable. Decanted for about a half hour before drinking, needs more like 1-2 hrs right now. Wish I had brought some Jemrose to do a side by side. (91 pts.)

2003 Château Rieussec - France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, SauternesBright gold color with a rich, thick texture and flavors of honey, hazelnut and a touch of apricot on the finish. A little lower in acidity like most 03's that keeps it from being the stellar experience of the 01, but so pleasurable for its richness and intensity. (93 pts.)